| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The Côtes de Castillon vineyard was very much a "labour of love" of famous Pomerol winemaker Denis Durantou of Eglise Clinet. His first vintage here was 2009. Sadly, the 2019 was the last vintage harvested by Denis (and the best) but the rise and rise of Montlandrie continues under the care of his daughters and wine-maker Olivier Gautrat. This 11 hectare vineyard has 25 year old vines - 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% of a new clone of Cabernet Sauvignon that Denis planted in 2009. Always modestly priced, this is a wine that gives brilliant value for money and is a star of this emerging appellation.
The 2022 is the best Montlandrie ever made (along with the 2019). It is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ageing in 50% new oak, 14.50% alcohol. Picking started on September 8th with the Cabernet Sauvignon harvested last on the 22nd. Just under 3000 cases produced.
A linear and racy young Cotes de Bordeaux with blueberry, mineral and crushed-stone character. Violets as well. Medium-bodied, refined yet structured. Plenty of energy here. Persistent finish. 75% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Drink after 2028.
Notes of sweet cherries, berries, licorice and smoke preface the 2022 Montlandrie, a medium to full-bodied, suave and vibrant wine with a deep core of fruit, lively acids, powdery tannins and a saline finish. This vibrant, intensely flavored Côtes de Castillon is once again one of Bordeaux's best values in this vintage.
The 2022 Montlandrie, which came across more like a Left Bank wine out of barrel, veers back toward Côtes de Castillon now that it is in bottle. This is quite opulent yet deftly controlled on the nose, with copious black fruit, vanilla extract, violet and dark chocolate aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and touches of graphite coming through on the linear finish. It has beautiful balance and wonderful fruit purity, sashaying along with style. This is excellent. 2029 - 2043
A deep and brooding nose wafts with notes of dark cherry, hedgerow, charcoal and a hint of cherry blossom. The palate is layered and dense, structured and serious for a wine at this price. Chewy and ripe tannins frame a multi-faceted fruit core which brings together sweet red and fresh dark fruit. Driven and impressive, this expands on the finish, suggesting a great future to come. It should offer excellent value for money.
A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Montlandrie has a deep garnet-purple color. It comes bounding out with eager-to-please notes of wild blueberries, kirsch, and violets, leading to hints of wet slate, tilled soil, and mossy tree bark. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is generous and juicy with ripe, rounded tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with a spicy kick.
The depth of flavour is more clear, along with the fragrance of the freshly cut and dried herbs - white pepper, sage, turmeric, cloves, incense, very much coming in on the retro-olfaction, deep black cherry, just beautifully characterful, great stuff, easy one to recommend, 50% new oak, clay limestone really doing its absolute best.
75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample.
Deep colour. Dark-fruit and floral notes with a stony freshness behind. Assertive tannins but cushioned by the fruit. Full-bodied but balanced, the finish chalky and dry. Potential to evolve. (JL) 14.5%
Drink 2029– 2038
The 2022 Montlandrie was picked 8-23 September and matured in 50% new oak. The Cabernet components in the blend defined the nose that leans toward the Left Bank - graphite and tobacco filtering through the dark berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture, white pepper and clove, quite structured for this Castillon Côte de Bordeaux with a similar sapid finish as the Les Cruzelles. 2029-2043
Sea salt and grilled sea weed. Dark fruit, but so umami. Medium to full body with fine and chewy tannins. Crunchy.
The limestone soils in Castillon are naturally cooler than many parts of Bordeaux across in all vintages, and yet even here the harvest began on September 8 through to 23, highlighting the unusual conditions of the vintage. The resulting wine still reflects the site, with its salinity and grip, and waves of soft rose aromatics. Gentle, supple tannins and fruits, enjoyable and finessed, carefully calibrated given the heat of the summer. 37hl/h yields. 50% new oak, Noemie Durantou winemaker.
